Shimla, May 6 I “The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will advance its focus on the “Panch Parivartan” (Five Transformations) initiative during its centenary year, highlighting five key areas aimed at fostering lasting and positive societal change, “said Alok Kumar, the organisation’s Sah Sarkaryavah.
Speaking at a seminar in Shimla on May 6, Kumar outlined the five themes: family awareness (Kutumb Prabodhan), sense of self (Swabhav or Swa), Environmental protection (Paryavaran Surakshya) , Social Harmony (Samajik Samarasta) , and Civic Responsibility (Nagarik Kartavya) . He stated that these pillars would guide the organisation’s efforts as it enters its 100th year.
Kumar noted that India has experienced significant transformation over the past two decades. “There was a time when people were afraid to travel to several parts of the country, but the situation has improved considerably today,” he said. Citing Lal Chowk in Kashmir, he highlighted that public celebrations were once nearly impossible there; however, today people openly celebrate occasions like New Year, even at night.
Reflecting on the RSS’s historical contributions, Kumar mentioned that thousands of its swayamsevaks participated in India’s freedom struggle. During Partition, he added, the organisation established more than 3,000 relief camps to assist displaced individuals, calling it a remarkable achievement for what was then a relatively small organisation. He also emphasised the RSS’s involvement in movements related to Goa and Hyderabad, as well as its ongoing engagement across various regions of the country.
Kumar asserted that the RSS regards all Indian languages as national languages, a perspective that has contributed to the organisation’s wider acceptance. He also recalled its efforts in Punjab during challenging times and its role in popularising patriotic expressions such as “Bharat Mata ki Jai.”
Expanding on the “Panch Parivartan” themes, Kumar explained that family awareness aims to strengthen families by nurturing cultural values and traditions. Regarding the “sense of self,” he underlined India’s increasing push towards self-reliance, noting that the country is progressively capable of supplying food grains and electricity to other nations.
He described environmental protection as a pressing concern, particularly for cities like Shimla, which were originally designed for smaller populations but are now under excessive pressure. He emphasised the importance of water conservation and warned that river pollution has become a serious issue.
However, he added that collective small efforts can lead to meaningful improvements, citing the decision to ban plastic utensils at the Kumbh Mela as a positive step.
On social harmony, Kumar stated that caste-based discrimination is against humanity and called for the equal treatment of all individuals in society. He also highlighted the importance of civic responsibility, urging citizens to be mindful not only of their rights but also of their duties, and to respect the rights of others.
In conclusion, Kumar reaffirmed that the RSS is dedicated to driving positive and sustainable change through these five focus areas during its centenary year, with the aim of strengthening the social fabric of the nation.
